New week. New WAGG.

Come get your alpha guide for the week.

Here's a view of the Alpha Calendar.

Subscribe to the newsletter to get it first.

https://thecoreloop.substack.com/p/wassies-alpha-gaming-guide-wagg

Look at Gaming #161 | Tuesday February 28th 2023


🔦 Spotlight 🌟
India Games Market Report – Niko
https://nikopartners.com/india-games-market-report/


🌊 MARKET ☎️
India Games Market Report – Niko
https://nikopartners.com/india-games-market-report/

Ampere Analysis: The UK gaming market declined in 2022 for the first time in 10 years
https://gamedevreports.substack.com/p/ampere-analysis-the-uk-gaming-market

Unity posts first profitable quarter on non-GAAP basis, expects to be profitable in 2023 | GamesIndustry.biz
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/unity-posts-first-profitable-quarter-on-non-gaap-basis-expects-to-be-profitable-in-2023

China Audiovisual and Digital Publishing Association: Chinese market declined by 10.33% in 2022
https://gamedevreports.substack.com/p/china-audiovisual-and-digital-publishing

inworld.ai: 99% of American gamers do want to see AI NPCs
https://gamedevreports.substack.com/p/inworldai-99-of-american-gamers-do

Inspirations and highlights from Dice Summit 2023 | The DeanBeat | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/inspirations-and-highlights-from-dice-summit-2023-the-deanbeat/


💎 Deep Dives 🔎
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D review: closing the Intel gap for gaming - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/23613408/amd-ryzen-9-7950x3d-review-cpu-processor-benchmark-test


🌈 Platforms 🏔
Sony exec says Hollywood is turning to games for new franchises
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/sony-exec-says-hollywood-is-turning-to-games-in-search-of-originality

Microsoft shared the number of Xbox users in the European Union
https://gamedevreports.substack.com/p/microsoft-shared-the-number-of-xbox

Valve's new stance on Steam keys: what to know?
https://newsletter.gamediscover.co/p/valves-new-stance-on-steam-keys-what

Pokémon Concierge is Netflix's latest game adaptation | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/pokemon-concierge-netflix-game-adaptation-annouced/


✨ Web 3️⃣ + Meta 🌎
Physics for on-chain games
https://twitter.com/damor_eth/status/1629802418505408512?s=20


🧠 Knowledge Hub 📚
Key licensing tips from working with big brands | GamesIndustry.biz
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/key-licensing-tips-from-working-with-big-brands


💰 Fundraising 🧧
Champions Round raises $7M for free-to-play fantasy sports games | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/champions-round-raises-7m-for-free-to-play-fantasy-sports-games/


👾 Game & Stats Releases 🎮
The original Pokémon TCG base set is coming back as a trio of decks - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/27/23616776/pokemon-tcg-classic-premium-deck-trading-cards

Ubisoft's The Crew franchise hits 40 million players
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/ubisoft-s-the-crew-franchise-hits-40-million-players

Angry Birds 2 hits $500m as folks get in a flap over the original - Mobilegamer.biz
https://mobilegamer.biz/angry-birds-2-hits-500m-as-folks-get-in-a-flap-over-the-original/

Look at Gaming #162 | Wednesday March 1st 2023


🔦 Spotlight 🌟
The Case of Playrix and why Product-Market fit is a Moving Target — Deconstructor of Fun
https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2023/2/27/the-case-of-playrix-and-why-product-market-fit-is-a-moving-target


🌊 MARKET ☎️
How can brands accelerate engagement in the games market?
https://newzoo.com/insights/articles/over-80-of-us-consumers-play-video-games-how-can-brands-accelerate-engagement-with-this-big-audience-of-game-enthusiasts

Olympic Esports Week will feature chess and Just Dance - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/1/23615822/olympics-esports-week-chess-just-dance

AppMagic: Mobile Gaming Market in 2022
https://gamedevreports.substack.com/p/appmagic-mobile-gaming-market-in

Ampere Analysis: Console market dipped to $56.2bn in 2022 | GamesIndustry.biz
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ampere-analysis-console-market-dipped-to-562bn-in-2022

Playable ads have the lowest cost per install of all gaming ad formats | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/80952/playable-ads-have-the-lowest-cost-per-install-of-all-gaming-ad-formats/

Playtika suspends new game launches until marketing landscape improves - Mobilegamer.biz
https://mobilegamer.biz/playtika-suspends-all-new-game-launches-until-marketing-landscape-improves/


💎 Deep Dives 🔎
A deep dive on European data privacy law | Mobile Dev Memo by Eric Seufert
https://mobiledevmemo.com/a-deep-dive-on-european-data-privacy-law/

Bigmode's journey, from YouTubers to publishers | GamesIndustry.biz
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/bigmodes-journey-from-youtubers-to-publishers

The Case of Playrix and why Product-Market fit is a Moving Target — Deconstructor of Fun
https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2023/2/27/the-case-of-playrix-and-why-product-market-fit-is-a-moving-target


🌈 Platforms 🏔
Is Squad Busters Supercell’s next multi-billion dollar smash? - Mobilegamer.biz
https://mobilegamer.biz/is-squad-busters-supercells-next-multi-billion-dollar-smash/

Is Amazon finding its way in games? | Sarah Anderson interview | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/is-amazon-finding-its-way-in-games-sarah-anderson-interview/


✨ Web 3️⃣ + Meta 🌎
A deep dive into Gala Games
https://twitter.com/CryptoGamavers/status/1629891392242868224?s=20

Manish Agarwal: India x Web3 Gaming - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YV_Qzc6BJk

Habytat announces AI-powered pets for its social metaverse | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/habytat-announces-ai-powered-pets-for-its-social-metaverse/

The Sandbox expands to Germany with acquisition of developer Sviper | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/80953/the-sandbox-expands-to-germany-with-acquisition-of-developer-sviper/


🧠 Knowledge Hub 📚
Hidetaka Miyazaki's advice for game designers: "Trust players"
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/hidetaka-miyazaki-s-advice-for-challenging-game-design-trust-players-

How the water systems of Timberborn were built on real world modeling
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/deep-dive-timberborn-s-water-mechanics


💰 Fundraising 🧧
Avalon raises $13M to build an interoperable digital universe | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/metaverse/avalon-raises-13m-to-build-an-interoperable-digital-universe/


👾 Game & Stats Releases 🎮
Warner Bros. Interactive: Hogwarts Legacy sold 12M copies in the first two weeks
https://gamedevreports.substack.com/p/warner-bros-interactive-hogwarts

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is coming a little early - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/28/23618664/super-mario-bros-movie-us-release-date-april-5

Destiny 2 reaches new concurrent player high with Lightfall release
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-i-destiny-2-i-reaches-new-player-count-high-with-i-lightfall-i-release

Elden Ring Expansion, Shadow Of The Erdtree, Revealed - Game Informer
https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/02/28/elden-ring-expansion-shadow-of-the-erdtree-revealed

Look at Gaming #163 | Thursday March 2nd 2023


🔦 Spotlight 🌟
The giants of adtech are facing challengers in the privacy era | Singular | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/the-giants-of-adtech-are-facing-challengers-singular/


🌊 MARKET ☎️
The giants of adtech are facing challengers in the privacy era | Singular | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/the-giants-of-adtech-are-facing-challengers-singular/


💎 Deep Dives 🔎
The App Store's original flaw | Mobile Dev Memo by Eric Seufert
https://mobiledevmemo.com/the-app-stores-original-sin/

Are Gaming VCs Too Big? — Naavik
https://naavik.co/digest/are-gaming-vcs-too-big


🌈 Platforms 🏔
Sony's third-party plan to make PlayStation the best place to play | GamesIndustry.biz
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sonys-third-party-plan-to-make-playstation-the-best-place-to-play

Blizzard got big by figuring out how to get noticed | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/blizzard-got-big-by-figuring-out-how-to-get-noticed/

Exclusive: Phil Spencer Talks Call of Duty, Activision Blizzard & Xbox - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsFHcrXtKeU


🧠 Knowledge Hub 📚
How Stacklands uses simplicity in its compelling card-based builder
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/road-to-igf-2023/how-stacklands-uses-simplicity-to-create-a-compelling-card-based-village-builder

Building on success: How to focus your expertise to create guaranteed hits | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
https://www.pocketgamer.biz/feature/80933/building-on-success-how-to-focus-your-expertise-to-create-guaranteed-hits/

The single most important metric in games is retention
https://twitter.com/JoshLu/status/1630965363776307200


👾 Game & Stats Releases 🎮
Hi-Fi Rush rocks out with 2 million players
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-i-hi-fi-rush-i-rocks-out-with-2-million-players

Pokémon Sleep is just the start of my fully gamified life - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/1/23618888/pokemon-sleep-nintendo-gamified-life-apps

Meta has sold almost 20 million Quest headsets
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/meta-has-sold-almost-20-million-quest-headsets

Look at Gaming #164 | Friday March 3rd 2023


🔦 Spotlight 🌟
Why Mobile Game Studios Are Increasing the Prices of IAPs - GameRefinery
https://www.gamerefinery.com/why-mobile-game-studios-are-increasing-the-prices-of-iaps/


🌊 MARKET ☎️
Mobile games included in inaugural Olympic Esports Series | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/news/80968/mobile-games-included-in-inaugural-olympic-esports-series/

Square Enix CEO steps down amid big changes in gaming | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/gaming-business/square-enix-ceo-steps-down-amid-big-changes-in-gaming/

VR isn't ready for a "must-play" experience | Opinion | GamesIndustry.biz
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/vr-isnt-ready-for-a-must-play-experience-opinion

Singular: ROI Index in 2023 - by Dmitriy Byshonkov
https://gamedevreports.substack.com/p/singular-roi-index-in-2023

Top 10 Live Streamers in 2023 - Stream Hatchet
https://streamhatchet.com/blog/top-10-live-streamers-in-2023/

U.S. rep mulls legislative action to press games industry on online extremism
https://www.axios.com/2023/03/02/lori-trahan-games-industry-online-extremism-congress


💎 Deep Dives 🔎
Sony's new media empire - SuperJoost Playlist
https://superjoost.substack.com/p/sonys-new-media-empire?l

Why Mobile Game Studios Are Increasing the Prices of IAPs - GameRefinery
https://www.gamerefinery.com/why-mobile-game-studios-are-increasing-the-prices-of-iaps/


🌈 Platforms 🏔
Report: Meta planning three more VR headsets, Quest 3 due this year | GamesIndustry.biz
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/report-meta-planning-three-more-vr-headsets-quest-3-due-this-year

Sony might be forced to reveal how much it pays to keep games off Xbox Game Pass - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/3/23623363/microsoft-sony-ftc-activision-blocking-rights-exclusivity


🧠 Knowledge Hub 📚
Story Machine demonstrates how AI is helping game development | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/story-machine-demonstrates-how-ai-is-helping-game-development/

Where did Knockout City go wrong? | GamesIndustry.biz
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/where-did-knockout-city-go-wrong


💰 Fundraising 🧧
VitalXP raises $3M for Web3 shooter Lowlife Forms | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/vitalxp-raises-3m-for-web3-shooter-lowlife-forms/

Look at Gaming #165 | Monday March 6th 2023


🔦 Spotlight 🌟
Halo Infinite players have made 1M creations in the Forge beta | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/halo-infinite-players-have-made-1m-creations-in-the-forge-beta/


🌊 MARKET ☎️
Sony reportedly eyeing up acquisition of Take-Two Interactive | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/80976/sony-reportedly-eyeing-up-acquisition-of-take-two-interactive/


💎 Deep Dives 🔎
Understanding the Rise of ACG Aesthetics in Gaming — Naavik
https://naavik.co/deep-dives/understanding-anime-aesthetics

A Consumer’s Digital Footprint
https://www.konvoy.vc/newsletter/a-consumers-digital-footprint

Krafton Targets India / Ramifications of Hogwarts Legacy’s Success / Unity Earnings - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd1_hXewvdA

No rest for Call of Duty | Podcast | GamesIndustry.biz
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/no-rest-for-call-of-duty-podcast


🌈 Platforms 🏔
Alvaro Duarte: Voodoo’s Ongoing Evolution - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jck4V6lra_k

How Sony is blending games, movies and VR into the same ecosystem | Jake Zim interview | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/how-sony-is-blending-games-movies-and-vr-into-the-same-ecosystem-jake-zim-interview/

How Atari is leveraging 50 years of nostalgia | Wade Rosen interview | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/how-atari-is-leveraging-50-years-of-nostalgia-wade-rosen-interview/

Meta doesn’t seem to know its VR headsets are game consoles - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/4/23623081/meta-quest-3-ps3-xbox-one-video-games-yikes

Halo Infinite players have made 1M creations in the Forge beta | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/halo-infinite-players-have-made-1m-creations-in-the-forge-beta/


✨ Web 3️⃣ + Meta 🌎
How Rec Room looks at the metaverse opportunity | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/how-rec-room-looks-at-the-metaverse-opportunity/

ImmutableX expands partnership with Warner Bros. with mobile Web3 game Blocklete Golf | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/immutablex-launches-verified-blockchain-gaming-solution-for-unity/


🧠 Knowledge Hub 📚
How do you know if a social app will be a hit?
https://twitter.com/kirbyman01/status/1631704147648196608

‼️ New week. New WAGME. ❤️

Come get your alpha guide for the week.

Here's a view of the Alpha Calendar.

Subscribe to the newsletter to get it first.

https://thecoreloop.substack.com/p/wassies-alpha-gaming-metaverse-expedition?sd=pf

Look at Gaming #166 | Tuesday March 7th 2023


🔦 Spotlight 🌟
it's going to VERY hard for AI cos to break into gaming. Here's why 👇
https://twitter.com/andrewchen/status/1631468113148661762


🌊 MARKET ☎️
GSD & GfK: The UK market came back to growth in February 2023
https://gamedevreports.substack.com/p/gsd-and-gfk-the-uk-market-came-back

it's going to VERY hard for AI cos to break into gaming. Here's why 👇
https://twitter.com/andrewchen/status/1631468113148661762

2023 is going to be a brutal year for games that raised < $5M
https://twitter.com/skilllevel7/status/1632429647668613120


🌈 Platforms 🏔
Kai Cenat's Record Breaking Mafiathon - Stream Hatchet
https://streamhatchet.com/blog/kai-cenats-record-breaking-mafiathon/


✨ Web 3️⃣ + Meta 🌎
Magic Eden Launches 'Mint Madness' With Free Web3 Gaming Mints
https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/03/01/magic-eden-launches-mint-madness-with-free-web3-gaming-mints/

Hermès Asks Court for Control Over MetaBirkin NFTs
https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/03/06/hermes-asks-court-for-control-over-metabirkin-nfts/

More Than Gamers Sold a Breakthrough Web3 Game and Delivered Empty Promises
https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/03/01/more-than-gamers-sold-a-breakthrough-web3-game-and-delivered-empty-promises/

Gaming Engine Unity Taps MetaMask, Immutable X and Solana for Web3 Developer Tools
https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/02/28/gaming-engine-unity-taps-metamask-immutable-x-and-solana-for-web3-developer-tools/

Electronic Arts Founder Trip Hawkins Joins Web3 Gaming Startup
https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/02/24/electronic-arts-founder-trip-hawkins-joins-web3-gaming-startup-as-cso/

Video game production and distribution model is broken. Here's a project trying to solve that
https://twitter.com/rebootgg_/status/1631008079046385665

ETH Denver Gaming Takeaways
https://twitter.com/templecrash/status/1632518430497619973


🧠 Knowledge Hub 📚
Discover the tool that can speed up marketing approvals and help prevent video game leaks | GamesIndustry.biz
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/discover-the-tool-that-can-speed-up-marketing-approvals-and-help-prevent-video-game-leaks


👾 Game & Stats Releases 🎮
Marvel Snap has amassed $50m in global revenue since its launch | News-in-brief | GamesIndustry.biz
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/marvel-snap-has-amassed-50m-in-global-revenue-since-its-launch-news-in-brief

Look at Gaming #167 | Wednesday March 8th 2023


🔦 Spotlight 🌟
🎮 Case Study: Counter Strike’s renowned marketplace — Deconstructor of Fun
https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/shorts/2023/3/07/supply-demand-csgo-case-study


🌊 MARKET ☎️
Brazil and Mexico saw 20% growth in in-app spending in 2022 | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/81003/brazil-and-mexico-saw-20-growth-in-in-app-spending-in-2022/

FaZe Clan launches 1st all-female pro esports team for Valorant | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/faze-clan-launches-its-1st-all-female-pro-esports-team-for-valorant/


💎 Deep Dives 🔎
The game theory of branded search advertising | Mobile Dev Memo by Eric Seufert
https://mobiledevmemo.com/the-game-theory-of-branded-search-advertising/

🎮 Case Study: Counter Strike’s renowned marketplace — Deconstructor of Fun
https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/shorts/2023/3/07/supply-demand-csgo-case-study


🌈 Platforms 🏔
Jonathan Knight: The New York Times Games Strategy - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=292hr1BhuxA


✨ Web 3️⃣ + Meta 🌎
Esports Giant TSM Enters Into Web3 Gaming Partnership With Avalanche
https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/03/07/esports-giant-tsm-enters-into-web3-gaming-partnership-with-avalanche/

2023 will be the year that blockchain games deliver quality and fun | Polygon | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/2023-will-be-the-year-that-blockchain-games-deliver-quality-and-fun-polygon/

AI Artist Claire Silver to Show NFT Collection at Louvre
https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/03/08/ai-artist-claire-silver-to-show-nft-collection-at-louvre/

Amazon is building an NFT marketplace
https://twitter.com/waleswoosh/status/1633061326971871232


💰 Fundraising 🧧
Tangle raises $4M in funding from Qualcomm and more for virtual workplace | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/game-development/tangle-raises-4m-in-funding-from-qualcomm-and-more-for-virtual-workplace/

Redemption Games spins out of AppLovin and raises $7M | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/redemption-games-spins-out-of-applovin-and-raises-7m/

Ex-Riot employees raise $55M for new studio The Believer Company | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/ex-riot-employees-raise-55m-for-new-studio-the-believer-company/


👾 Game & Stats Releases 🎮
Niantic’s Peridot launches worldwide on May 9 - Mobilegamer.biz
https://mobilegamer.biz/niantics-peridot-launches-worldwide-on-may-9/

Among Us surpasses 500M mobile downloads since launch | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/among-us-surpasses-500m-mobile-downloads-since-launch/

Look at Gaming #168 | Thursday March 9th 2023


🔦 Spotlight 🌟
IAB study: Gaming accounts for less than 5% of ad spending | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/iab-study-gaming-accounts-for-less-than-5-of-ad-spending/


🌊 MARKET ☎️
#Ads of February 2023 - Stream Hatchet
https://streamhatchet.com/blog/ads-of-february-2023/

UK attracts $545m in ad spend and role-playing games top for growth | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/81022/uk-attracts-545m-in-ad-spend-and-role-playing-games-top-for-growth/

Japan and Korea Regulations Reports – Niko
https://nikopartners.com/japan-korea-regulations-reports/

IAB study: Gaming accounts for less than 5% of ad spending | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/iab-study-gaming-accounts-for-less-than-5-of-ad-spending/


💎 Deep Dives 🔎
Can Marvel Snap’s Monetization Keep Up? — Naavik
https://naavik.co/digest/is-marvel-snap-monetization-too-modest

Voice chat is the worst for toxicity, but 2/3 of gamers never report it | Speechly | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/voice-chat-is-the-worst-for-toxicity-but-2-3-of-gamers-never-report-it-speechly/


🌈 Platforms 🏔
New indie label Cult Games: "Real breakouts don't come from the boardroom" | GamesIndustry.biz
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/new-indie-label-cult-games-real-breakouts-dont-come-from-the-boardroom

Google’s cloud gaming ambitions died with Stadia, exec reveals - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/8/23631063/google-white-label-stadia-idea-done


✨ Web 3️⃣ + Meta 🌎
Nami Analytic's blog on the royalties. To Royalty or Not to Royalty? That is the question.
https://twitter.com/namianalytics/status/1631646945910616066?s=46&t=F-Ed5rtzpvm9ShKLjDa5Nw


Yuga Labs' Otherside Metaverse to Launch Second Trip on March 25
https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/03/09/yuga-labs-otherside-metaverse-to-launch-second-trip-on-march-25/

What Are the Top NFT Blockchains?
https://www.coindesk.com/learn/what-are-the-top-nft-blockchains/


🧠 Knowledge Hub 📚
App Store discovery is dead – so what do indies do now? - Mobilegamer.biz
https://mobilegamer.biz/app-store-discovery-is-dead-so-what-do-indies-do-now/

Assembling a community... before you start making your game?
https://newsletter.gamediscover.co/p/assembling-a-community-before-you


💰 Fundraising 🧧
Matchday secures $21 million in seed funding | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/81020/matchday-secures-21-million-in-seed-funding/


👾 Game & Stats Releases 🎮
PlayStation 5 Update Adds Discord Voice Chat Today - Game Informer
https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/03/08/playstation-5-update-adds-discord-voice-chat-today

Look at Gaming #169 | Friday March 10th 2023


🔦 Spotlight 🌟
Epic Games has big plans for its store, has its mobile apps ready
https://www.axios.com/2023/03/09/epic-games-store-tim-sweeney-2023


🌊 MARKET ☎️
ChatGPT's AI-made game is built from a game that already exists
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/chatgpt-ai-made-game-built-from-game-already-exists


🌈 Platforms 🏔
Epic Games has big plans for its store, has its mobile apps ready
https://www.axios.com/2023/03/09/epic-games-store-tim-sweeney-2023


✨ Web 3️⃣ + Meta 🌎
Mini Royale: Nations will let 6,000 devs use its avatars via Ready Player Me integration | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/mini-royale-nations-will-let-6000-devs-use-its-avatars-via-ready-player-me-integration/

Animoca Brands and Planet Hollywood launch Club 3 as a physical private club with Web3 perks | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/animoca-brands-and-planet-hollywood-launch-club-3-as-a-physical-private-club-with-web3-perks/

Starbucks Odyssey Releases ‘The Siren Collection,’ Its First Limited-Edition NFT Drop
https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/03/09/starbucks-odyssey-releases-the-siren-collection-its-first-limited-edition-nft-drop/


👾 Game & Stats Releases 🎮
The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s final trailer is here - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/23589501/super-mario-bros-movie-final-trailer

Hello World! Hope everyone is safe and whole ❤️

Our weekly newsletter got rebranded!

IN THE LOOP w/ kapital k (yours truly)

Your support has been amazing so far. Thank you(!!)

DM for comments or feedback, please. Would love to hear from you <3

Check out what happened last week with the top five headlines, all fundraising news, as well as the threads, blogs, and pods you missed!

https://thecoreloop.substack.com/p/in-the-loop-with-kapital-k

‼️ BREAKING NEWS ‼️

Maplestory is coming to web3.

Say 안녕하세요 to MapleStory Universe

https://twitter.com/thecoreloop/status/1635109466273366016

MapleStory is definitely coming to web3 and in a very meaningful way.

Here's a TLDR on their announcement video.
Saved ya 30mins!

https://twitter.com/thecoreloop/status/1635129841086525441

Look at Gaming #170 | Monday March 13th 2023


🔦 Spotlight 🌟
MapleStory is coming to web3(!!)
https://twitter.com/thecoreloop/status/1635129841086525441


🌊 MARKET ☎️
data.ai: Mobile Gaming Markets of Brazil, Mexico & LATAM, in general, grew in 2022
https://gamedevreports.substack.com/p/dataai-mobile-gaming-markets-of-brazil

Japan’s Top-Selling Console Games — Naavik
https://naavik.co/digest/japan-top-selling-console-games

KPMG: Tech leaders interested in metaverse’s future, not its present | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/kpmg-tech-leaders-interested-in-metaverses-future-not-its-present/

#187: Desperate measures - Hit Points by Nathan Brown
https://hitpoints.substack.com/p/187-spray-and-pray

Believer’s $55M Series A / Exits in Gaming / Gen AI Playtesting Workflow - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxnfXXjKDTY


💎 Deep Dives 🔎
Augmented Mapping
https://www.konvoy.vc/newsletter/augmented-mapping

Digital games distribution is ripe for disruption
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/blogs/digital-games-distribution-is-ripe-for-disruption


🌈 Platforms 🏔
Fortnite won’t slow down - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/10/23634160/fortnite-chapter-4-season-2-faster-gameplay-grinding

What do we mean by the long game? | Dice Summit Town Hall | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/what-do-we-mean-by-the-long-game-dice-summit-town-hall/

Newzoo: Top-20 on Nintendo Switch by MAU is more diverse than on PlayStation and Xbox
https://gamedevreports.substack.com/p/newzoo-top-20-on-nintendo-switch


✨ Web 3️⃣ + Meta 🌎
MapleStory is coming to web3(!!)
https://twitter.com/thecoreloop/status/1635129841086525441


🧠 Knowledge Hub 📚
How Much Does Virtual Reality (VR) Mobile App Development Cost? | Kevuru Games
https://kevurugames.com/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-vr-app/


👾 Game & Stats Releases 🎮
These boots were made for plumbing - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/23634008/super-mario-movie-boots-red-wing-shoes

thecoreloop is going to the next level!

We're building a curated discovery platform for web3 games that are led by high-quality teams.

But we need YOUR help.

We'd like to learn more about your needs so we could build a product that's valuable to you!

Check it out here: https://thecoreloop.gg/

Look at Gaming #171 | Tuesday March 14th 2023


🔦 Spotlight 🌟
Wassie's Alpha Gaming Metaverse Expedition (WAGME) — 13th March
https://thecoreloop.substack.com/p/wassies-alpha-gaming-metaverse-expedition-861


🌊 MARKET ☎️
Google x Deconstructor of Fun in Istanbul: everything you need to know - Mobilegamer.biz
https://mobilegamer.biz/google-x-deconstructor-of-fun-in-istanbul-everything-you-need-to-know/


💎 Deep Dives 🔎
Fortnite's maximalism still works in its new cyberpunk season | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/13/fortnite-new-season-still-got-it/

Epic Games Store: who is it the bestest for?
https://newsletter.gamediscover.co/p/epic-games-store-who-is-it-the-bestest


🌈 Platforms 🏔
Meta Will End Support for NFTs on Instagram, Facebook
https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/03/13/meta-will-end-support-for-nfts-on-instagram-facebook/

Google's post-Stadia plan? Helping live-service publishers succeed
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/google-s-post-stadia-plan-helping-live-service-publishers-find-their-groove


✨ Web 3️⃣ + Meta 🌎
What Are MoonCats? The Legacy NFT Project Revived by Its Community
https://www.coindesk.com/learn/what-are-mooncats-the-legacy-nft-project-revived-by-its-community/

Our Questions About Web 2.5 Gaming
https://www.maverickcrypto.xyz/post/our-questions-about-web-2-5-gaming

Epic Games says some crypto games in its store have done 'pretty well'
https://www.axios.com/2023/03/13/epic-games-store-blockchain-crypto

NFT Licences | Animoca Brands
https://www.animocabrands.com/nft-licences

Oh Baby Games teaser on their web3 client
https://twitter.com/passytee/status/1635430118704451585


🧠 Knowledge Hub 📚
Game devs talk design methods, system mechanics in design summit
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/game-devs-talk-design-methods-system-mechanics-in-design-summit

A guide to properly crediting game workers and why it matters | GamesIndustry.biz
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/a-guide-to-properly-crediting-game-workers-and-why-it-matters


💰 Fundraising 🧧
Brazil's Jungle raises $6M for Web3 mobile shooter | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/brazils-jungle-raises-6m-for-web3-mobile-shooter/


👾 Game & Stats Releases 🎮
Genshin Impact revenue reached an 11-month high in February as Chinese devs flou | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/81055/genshin-impact-revenue-reached-an-11-month-high-in-february-as-chinese-devs-flourish-again/

Among Us reached 500M downloads on Mobile
https://gamedevreports.substack.com/p/among-us-reached-500m-downloads-on

Look at Gaming #172 | Wednesday March 15th 2023


🔦 Spotlight 🌟
Waffle protects gamers against asset theft with player insurance | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/waffle-protects-gamers-against-asset-theft-with-player-insurance/


🌊 MARKET ☎️
Chinese games industry publishes draft of rules for self-regulation | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/news/81074/chinese-games-industry-publishes-draft-of-rules-for-self-regulation/

Republic launches Atari crowdfunding investment campaign to fund future games | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/republic-launches-atari-crowdfunding-investment-campaign-to-fund-future-games/

Waffle protects gamers against asset theft with player insurance | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/waffle-protects-gamers-against-asset-theft-with-player-insurance/

A survival guide to GDC 2023 | GamesIndustry.biz
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/a-survival-guide-to-gdc-2023

Music and gaming continue to merge as producer BloodPop announces studio - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/15/23637598/bloodpop-game-studio-genpop-interactive

Downloads for Hybridcasual is outpacing Hypercasual games
https://twitter.com/JoshLu/status/1635717502750830593/photo/1

AppsFlyer: State of Mobile Gaming Marketing in 2023
https://gamedevreports.substack.com/p/appsflyer-state-of-mobile-gaming?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=358110&post_id=108504535&isFreemail=true&utm_medium=email


💎 Deep Dives 🔎
Exoskeletons, not cyborgs | Mobile Dev Memo by Eric Seufert
https://mobiledevmemo.com/cyborgs-vs-exoskeletons/


🌈 Platforms 🏔
Google Play Games for PC to roll out to Europe and Japan, add new titles including Garena Free Fire | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/14/google-play-games-for-pc-to-roll-out-to-europe-and-japan-add-new-titles-including-garena-free-fire/

Epic Games explains store's ban on porn games
https://www.axios.com/2023/03/14/epic-games-store-adult-content

Unity uncovers surprising results about game devs from 2023 data analysis | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/unity-uncovers-surprising-results-about-game-devs-from-2023-data-analysis/

Meta to lay off 10,000 staff by end of year | GamesIndustry.biz
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/meta-to-lay-off-10000-staff-by-end-of-year


✨ Web 3️⃣ + Meta 🌎
Exploring Digital Fashion’s Utility at Decentraland Hosted Metaverse Fashion Week - CoinDesk
https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/03/14/metaverse-fashion-week-decentraland/

Web3 Service Unstoppable Domains and Polygon Labs Roll Out .polygon Domains
https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/03/14/web3-service-unstoppable-domains-and-polygon-labs-roll-out-polygon-domains/

Community Gaming, Game7 and 3XP will launch expo for Web3, esports, creators and brands | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/community-gaming-game7-and-3xp-will-launch-expo-in-june-for-web3-esports-creators-and-brands/

Fumb Games crosses a million players for Bitcoin Miner simulation game | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/fumb-games-crosses-a-million-players-for-bitcoin-miner-simulation-game/

NounsDAO Approves Proposal for Feature-Length NFT Movie
https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/03/15/nounsdao-approves-proposal-for-feature-length-nft-movie/


💰 Fundraising 🧧
DressX raises $15M for digital fashion | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/dressx-raises-15m-for-digital-fashion/

Tilia raises $22M to handle payments for digital economies | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/gaming-business/tilia-raises-22m-in-funding-to-handle-payments-for-digital-economies/


👾 Game & Stats Releases 🎮
Raid: Shadow Legends is set to become an animated series | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/81073/raid-shadow-legends-is-set-to-become-an-animated-series/

Second Life is coming to mobile, nearly 20 years after launch
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-i-second-life-i-is-coming-to-mobile-nearly-20-years-after-launch

Look at Gaming #174 | Friday March 17th 2023


🔦 Spotlight 🌟
PUBG Mobile’s fifth anniversary brings custom build tools to the game | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/81084/pubg-mobiles-fifth-anniversary-brings-custom-build-tools-to-the-game/


🌊 MARKET ☎️
Unity: Gaming industry in 2023 - by Dmitriy Byshonkov
https://gamedevreports.substack.com/p/unity-gaming-industry-in-2023

Report: PC and console global gaming dipped to $92.3bn in 2022 | GamesIndustry.biz
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/report-pc-and-console-global-gaming-dipped-to-923bn-in-2022

Emmett Shear resigns as Twitch CEO after 16 years | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/emmett-shear-resigns-twitch-ceo/

The full return of GDC | GamesIndustry.biz
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/the-full-return-of-gdc

Abu Dhabi firm G42 acquires $100m+ stake in Bytedance | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/81086/abu-dhabi-firm-g42-acquires-100m-stake-in-bytedance/

Tetris movie: Inside the great game business deal of all time | Maya Rogers interview | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/tetris-movie-inside-the-great-game-business-deal-of-all-time-maya-rogers-interview/

Top Apparel Brands February 2023 - Stream Hatchet
https://streamhatchet.com/blog/top-apparel-brands-february-2023/


💎 Deep Dives 🔎
The promise of Pinterest | Mobile Dev Memo by Eric Seufert
https://mobiledevmemo.com/the-promise-of-pinterest/

Could Gift Cards Be A Gold Mine For Games? — Naavik
https://naavik.co/digest/could-gift-card-be-a-gold-mine-for-games


🌈 Platforms 🏔
Fortnite to expand creation tools with Unreal Engine 5 editor
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-i-fortnite-i-to-expand-creation-tools-with-unreal-engine-5-editor

What self-publishing on the Epic Games Store means for gaming | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/what-self-publishing-on-the-epic-games-store-means-for-gaming/

PlayStation Mobile continues its hiring spree | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
https://www.pocketgamer.biz/job-news/81088/playstation-mobile-continues-its-hiring-spree/

Microsoft & Ubitus (cloud gaming provider) signed 10-year partnership
https://twitter.com/XboxP3/status/1635989326202011655

PUBG Mobile’s fifth anniversary brings custom build tools to the game | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/81084/pubg-mobiles-fifth-anniversary-brings-custom-build-tools-to-the-game/


✨ Web 3️⃣ + Meta 🌎
Neal Stephenson's Lamina1 unveils early access program for open metaverse ecosystem | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/metaverse/neal-stephensons-lamina1-unveils-early-access-program-for-open-metaverse-ecosystem/

South Korea's 4:33 Creative Lab launches Delabs Web3 game studio | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/south-koreas-433-creative-lab-launches-delabs-web3-mobile-game-studio/

Polygon announcing Blueprint: A Web3 Games Guide
https://twitter.com/0xlegofan/status/1636019304838881280

Why blockchain games are going to have to be free
https://twitter.com/blockchaingmg/status/1636111386131456000


🧠 Knowledge Hub 📚
Important lessons and key takeaways for collaborative worldbuilding
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/book-excerpt-collaborative-worldbuilding-for-video-games

Unity vs Unreal Engine: Differences and Performance Comparison
https://kevurugames.com/blog/unity-vs-unreal-engine-pros-and-cons/

One step beyond: how game contracts could evolve
https://newsletter.gamediscover.co/p/one-step-beyond-how-game-contracts


💰 Fundraising 🧧
Bandai Namco's investment fund invests in 2 tech startups to advance gaming | VentureBeat
https://venturebeat.com/games/bandai-namcos-investment-fund-invests-in-2-tech-startups-to-advance-gaming/

‼️ Our weekly newsletter just dropped! 👀

IN THE LOOP w/ kapital k

Check out what happened last week with the top five headlines, all fundraising news, as well as the threads, blogs, and pods you missed!

https://tinyurl.com/tgtosub